Dan Frandsen

#July 20, 1941 — Sept. 27, 2014

#Dan Lee Frandsen, a longtime and proud resident of Walla Walla, died at his home on Sept. 27, 2014. Dan died after a two-year battle with cancer. Dan was born on July 20, 1941, to Len Frandsen and Arloine LeVeque. After a brief residence in Seattle, the Frandsen family moved in 1949 to Walla Walla, where Dan attended Green Park Elementary, Pioneer Junior High School and Walla Walla High School. On graduating from Wa-Hi in 1959 Dan attended classes at Columbia Basin Community College, Eastern Washington, and Washington State University. Then in 1962 he joined the Army. Most of his service was spent in Europe, where he met his first wife, Sheila. He rose to the rank of sergeant first class in the cipher unit and was honorably discharged from Camp Irwin in 1966. During Dan’s and Sheila’s marriage they lived in Salem, Eugene and Walla Walla, raising their son, Greg.

#Dan was a people person and liked nothing more than being with friends and family. All who met and got to know Dan enjoyed his socially engaging demeanor. He made friends easily and maintained friends for life. For most of his adult life he worked in the processed food industry, becoming the plant manager of Agripac Inc. at a very young age. Then in 1977, he decided to join forces with his father at L&L Equipment, where the two of them refurbished and leased can seamers to food processors all over the world. In the mid to late 1980s Dan expanded L&L Equipment to include the rental of storage units of all shapes and sizes. Dan had many non-work activities, including wine making, cooking, stained glass work, golf, travel and romantic times with his wife, Sheri. Dan was president of Walla Walla Country Club when the clubhouse burned down in 1999. He was very active in the rebuild and was extremely proud of the resulting new clubhouse. Dan very much enjoyed the many friends and ensuing close relationships from his nearly 30-year membership of Walla Walla Country Club, and all the activities and responsibilities that came along with that membership.

#In October of 2005, Dan married the love his life, Sheri. Their marriage was filled with love and respect for each other, and their mutual passion for travel, golf, food, movies, music, wine and entertaining friends and family. Over a glass of wine and/or martinis, Dan and Sheri loved planning either their next vacation or party. The two of them visited many wonderful places throughout their marriage.

#Dan had many passions and hobbies throughout his life, much of his time was spent on the golf course and working with stained glass. In the 60-plus years of golfing, Dan had achieved five holes in one. Dan also spent many hours creating beautiful pieces of stained glass. Sheri once, unknown to him, entered one of his stained glass pieces into a fair competition and he won a first-place ribbon. Over the past few years Dan could found every Monday at “very important” meetings with his wine-making friends solving all the world’s problems.

#Since this obituary has been written by his son, Greg, I would like to acknowledge Dan Frandsen as being a very kind, forthright, trusting and loving father. I could not have asked for a better Dad. He was the best!!!!

#Dan is preceded in death by his mother, Arloine LeVeque. He is survived by his loving wife, Sheri Frandsen; son, Greg Frandsen; father, Len Frandsen; and sisters, Sherrie Jilek and Monique Lynch; step-mother, Doris Frandsen; step-son, Gavin Dickson and his wife Natalie and son Ethan; step-grandson, Trenton Walters; daughter-in-law, Marcia Frandsen.

#In honor of Dan, a celebration of life will be held at Walla Walla Country Club on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, from 2 p.m.-.5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join our family. Donations can be made to Providence St. Mary’s Cancer Center or Walla Walla Community Hospice.